Payne has also been a member of the Baltimore Ravens, Detroit Lions, Kansas City Chiefs, Minnesota Vikings, and New York Jets.

He posted career highs in catches (59), yards (804) and touchdowns (9) during his senior year for the Golden Gophers, leading the team in all three categories.

Payne was signed by Seattle as an undrafted rookie free agent on May 2, 2007, and spent the entire regular season on the practice squad.

In 2008, Payne made Seattle's 53-man roster on opening day after injuries depleted the Seahawks' receiving corps, sidelining Deion Branch, Bobby Engram, and Ben Obomanu.

However, in week 2 against the San Francisco 49ers, Payne suffered a torn medial collateral ligament in his right knee while leaping to catch a 14-yard pass, and was tackled by 49ers' safety Dashon Goldson.

Payne was released from the practice squad on October 7 with the Vikings trading a third round draft pick to the New England Patriots for former Vikings Pro Bowl wide-receiver Randy Moss and to make room for offensive tackle Andrew Gardner on the practice squad.